Women's GI Health Center Team

Gastroenterologists

Donna is a registered dietitian and is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. She completed her nutrition training at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Mass, and several years later obtained her medical degree from Brown University. She has been an active member of the Hartford Hospital medical staff for 15 years, and was the first woman on staff in the Department of Gastroenterology. Her interests and areas of expertise are in nutritional disorders, dietary issues and nutritional deficiencies associated with GI diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac sprue, malnutrition, and obesity, with an emphasis on incorporating nutritional modalities and diet therapy in addition to traditional medical approaches.

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Specialty:

Gastroenterology

Areas of Interest:

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Gastroenterology/Digestive Diseases in Women

Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)

Nutrition

Primary Office:

Director, HHC Women’s GI Health Center

Maria is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. While completing a Gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Connecticut, she was awarded the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society motility training scholarship. She received specialized gastrointestinal motility training at Penn State, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. This training included esophageal manometry, pH-impedance testing, Bravo pH testing, anorectal manometry and smart pill technology. She was able to witness first hand biofeedback therapy performed by a physical therapist for women with fecal incontinence and dysfunctional defecation. Her fluency in Spanish has allowed her to care for many Spanish-speaking patients without the need for a third party translator. As co-director of the Hartford Healthcare Women's Gastrointestinal Health Center she strives to provide the best care for women alongside a team of women that are dedicated to do the same.

Primary Office:

Michelle focuses her practice on the subspeciality care of patients with Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Additionally, Michelle does capsule endoscopy of the small bowel and colonoscopy for the screening and prevention of colorectal cancer.

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Specialty:

Gastroenterology

Areas of Interest:

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Crohn's Disease

Gastroenterology/Digestive Diseases in Women

Inflamatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy

Ulcerative Colitis

Primary Office:

Rosalind is board certified in gastroenterology and completed an internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship with The Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH. She has 17 years of experience as a gastroenterologist, was a former professor at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, and is affiliated with the University of Connecticut Medical Center. She is an active participant in professional organizations such as the American College of Gastroenterology and has authored over 39 articles and numerous abstracts. A few of the many services Dr. van Stolk specializes in are inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, familial colorectal cancers, colorectal cancer screening, cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum, and acid reflux disease.

Affiliation:

The Hospital of Central Connecticut

Specialty:

Gastroenterology

Primary Office:

Surgeons

Christine is an expert at performing endorectal ultrasounds, manometry, rectal prolapse and rectocele repairs. She also performs laparoscopic and robotic surgery as well as InterStim therapy. Additionally, Christine engages in counseling and management of fecal incontinence and performs colorectal surgery (colectomies, primarily laparoscopic surgery, and is robotically trained)

Affiliation:

The Hospital of Central Connecticut

Specialty:

Colon/Rectal Surgery

Areas of Interest:

Crohn's Disease

Incontinence

Laporascopic Colon Surgery

Laporascopic Surgery

Primary Office:

Christina’s practice is dedicated to the treatment of colon and anorectal disorders. She is an expert in the care of hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, ostomy care and bowel incontinence. Management is individualized and often can be treated non-surgically. Most recently available is the management of bowel incontinence using the newest approach with Solesta. Emphasis on colon cancer prevention and treatment, management of diverticular disease, and surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease also encompass the practice.

Affiliation:

The Hospital of Central Connecticut

Specialty:

Colon/Rectal Surgery

Areas of Interest:

Colon Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Crohn's Disease

Inflamatory Bowel Disease

Rectal Cancer

Primary Office:

Kristina is board certified in
both general as well as colorectal surgery and has been in practice at
Hartford Hospital for the past thirteen years. Her practice is focused
on both cancerous and noncancerous colorectal disease processes. Dr.
Johnson has advanced specialty training in the treatment of pelvic floor
disorders, including incontinence, rectoceles, prolapse as well as
anorectal diseases and also practices minimally invasive surgery.

As associate clinical professor at the University of
Connecticut, Dr. Johnson is actively involved in resident and medical
student education. In addition, she is primary investigator on a number
of active research studies focused on advancing the therapeutic options
available for some common surgical complications. Dr. Johnson is
married, the mother of two children and has a special interest in the
treatment of pelvic floor weakness associated with childbirth.

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Specialty:

Colon/Rectal Surgery

Areas of Interest:

Colonoscopy

Colorectal Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Gastrointestinal Surgery

Inflamatory Bowel Disease

Laporoscopic Intestinal Surgery

Sphincter Sparing Surgery

Primary Office:

Maria has been in the clinical practice of Colon & Rectal Surgery since 1992. She attended medical school at Mt Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, graduating in 1986. Dr. Mirth subsequently completed her residency in General Surgery at SUNY Health Science Center from 1986-1991 and a fellowship in Colon & Rectal Surgery at St. Vincent Health Center from 1991-1992. She is board certified in Colon & Rectal Surgery as well as in General surgery. Dr. Mirth’s areas of interest are Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Rectocele Repair, Benign and Malignant Anorectal Conditions, Fecal Incontinence, Sacral Nerve Stimulation, Solesta Injection, Botox Injection for Anal Fissures and Levator Syndrome.

Affiliation:

The Hospital of Central Connecticut

Specialty:

Colon/Rectal Surgery

Areas of Interest:

Colon Cancer

Crohn's Disease

Rectal Cancer

Primary Office:

Christina graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed her General Surgery residency at Tufts Medical Center. She then completed a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery. Her interests are in gastrointestinal malignancies. This includes stomach, pancreas, liver, bile duct and colon and rectal cancers. She performs minimally invasive surgery with her cancer operations and works with a team of oncology experts at Hartford Hospital. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and knowledgeable in Spanish.

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Specialty:

Surgery/Surgical Oncology

Areas of Interest:

Breast Cancer

Colorectal Surgery

Hepatobiliary Surgery

Melanoma

Pancreatic Cancer

Robotic Surgery

Sarcoma

Primary Office:

Kristy graduated from the UCONN School of Medicine where she also completed her residency. She then completed a fellowship in Surgery at Northshore LIJ Great Neck. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery.

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Specialty:

Surgery/Colon and Rectal Surgery

Primary Office:

Nutritionist

Mary Noon, MS, RD, CD-N

Mary is a registered dietitian/certified
nutritionist who graduated from the University of Connecticut and
Rensselaer in Hartford. She has been an out patient dietitian
counseling patients for over 20 years at Hartford Hospital. Her
specialties include gastrointestinal conditions of all kinds including
gastroparesis, gluten restrictions, irritable bowel syndrome and
inflammatory bowel disease as well as, weight management, diabetes and
lipid disorders. She has contributed to Hartford Hospital’s “Medical
Rounds”, “Advancing Medicine” series and Rounds magazine. Mary enjoys
working with patients in an individual setting in addition to conducting
group meetings. She enhances her instruction by sharing many of her own
healthy recipes. Mary is also a nutrition and wellness consultant with
Miss Porters School in Farmington.

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Psychologist

Geraldine Lenz, PhD

Geraldine is a clinical psychologist whose
practice has focused on the emotional aspects of medical illnesses.
Among her areas of interest are GI disorders including Irritable Bowel
Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Crohn's Disease. She has
presented on these subjects and has served as a resource to support
groups.

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Registered Nurses

Mary Schwab

Mary has 40 years of nursing experience at Hartford
Hospital. She spent 23 years in the Labor and Delivery unit and
scrubbed on numerous anterior and posterior repairs for women with
complaints of fecal and urinary problems as well as pelvic floor
dysfunction. For the last 10 years, Mary has worked in the
Gastroenterology Department where she continued to develop her interest
in pelvic floor dysfunction. As a result, Mary attended conferences at
the University of Iowa and Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles and
received intensive training in this area. Mary specializes in
instructing her patients with Bowel Retraining techniques. She is a
dedicated nurse who possesses a genuine passion and concern to help
improve the quality of life of her patients and is excited to be an
integral part of the HHC Women’s GI Health Center team.

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Andreal Dunn

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Frances Schwarzhaupt

Frances has 14 years of nursing experience
with 10 years of specific GI experience. She is an expert in performing
motility studies and enjoys helping her patients with these studies
because she understands that they are critical in helping physicians
determine the best course of treatment. Frances also performs ARMs and
biofeedback and appreciates the opportunities to teach and offer support
to her patients so she can help improve their quality of life.

Affiliation:

Hartford Hospital

Joanne Struble, BSN,RN,CGRN

Joanne has 25 years of nursing
experience including time spent working in cardiac surgery stepdown,
operating room, emergency department, radiology, and in a physician’s
office. For the past 3 years, she has been working in the Digestive
Health Center at Midstate Medical Center and is specially trained in
esophageal manometry and pH studies, Bravo, and RFA procedures. She
attended Southern CT State University where she earned her bachelors
degree. She is also a CPR instructor for the American Heart
Association. In June of 2012, as a commitment to excellence in
practice, she became certified in Gastroenterology nursing.